Chapter Twenty Four: The Twins
By the time I reach my destination, I am bruised and am firmly convinced that Max Evans hates me.
Let's examine the facts.
When presented with the problem of having one Liz Parker, ex girlfriend and formerly supposed dream girl captured by the acid spurting tentacle of doom, the subject, Max Evans, proceeds to do what?
a) Blast the tentacle with his alien supper powers.
b) Favor the caveman like approach by gnawing of the offending digit with his teeth.
c) Takes a page from Keanu Reeves' character from Speed and allows the very touchy
and feely creature of unknown origin to steal said Liz Parker and materialize her
body through numerous walled structures and not to mention several floors all in an
attempt to bring her to his very small and cramped lair that my would be rescuer will
probably have some trouble coping with it.
All I can say is that I hate him, but my current Max sucks, insert inappropriate image here, takes a backseat as I get a look at the owner of the acid emitting appendage when he drops me unceremoniously at his feet.
He is thinner than he should be despite wearing Alex's unmistakable face.
His tentacles reverting back to normal arms reinforce the idea that despite sharing a similar phenotype the individual in front of me is not my friend.
I try and squash the threatening customary bout of nostalgia so engrained with any remembrance of his loss, but the desire grows to get lost right along with him. It takes an additional much fuller Alex to emerge from the shadows for me realize that maybe I already am and have been spinning off course, since the day that he left us all.
"I miss you so much."
Both Alexs' puzzle at my words before the much larger one begins to speak to the smaller one. "What food have you, for us to munch?"
"It is a human, I bring to our brunch." Baby Alex prods me in presentation.
"She is a pretty one. But where is this ma'am's man?"
"He has fled with his head in his hands."
They both chuckle while I start to wonder how I got caught in the "Jabberwocky" poem.
"I like the shape of her face."
"Cracking it open will only improve her taste."
"I'll put an end to our rhyme, and begin to devour what is mine." Flaps of skin start to pucker around his neck causing him to resemble that of a Cobra.
A blast fizzles in my hand. I try to shein but nothing happens for my brain does not find any version of Alex to be a threat. Scooting back, I am stopped by the other Alex. "Mine, you say. I set the trap that caused her to fall right into our lap."
"Being the oldest, I will decide what is best." He grabs me from the other.
"Seconds cost this loss." The smaller Alex retreats.
"But your brother is not your boss," I answer.
Both siblings cringe. "Your skills at the rhyme are asinine. We've heard better words, uttered by a child of nine."
"If you spare me some time, I will try and improve my rhyme."
The oldest rolls his eyes. "Hopeless creature, I do not appreciate your jest. You do not have the skill, and I'm ready to eat my fill and only then will I be at my best, to hunt the one who has survived all the rest."
"But do you plan to share him or her, with your younger brother."
"If there are any parts to spare," the oldest answers.
"Parts to spare, I deserve my equal share." The youngest shoves him hard.
"You will not face a chance taking on he who survived, where all others have died."
Baby Alex flexes one scrawny arm. "I am strong."
"And he has a brawn born from a love fit for a song. Separated from her forever he is, but yet he still longs for one kiss from his lovely lady Liz."
"What?" I close my mouth abruptly as their eyes narrow in on me.
"She is a clever, one trying to make us go on and on to spoil our fun." They both move in on me.
"Wait," I put my hands up. "This man who has survived the rest," I pause trying to think of my next word. "Is it really necessary for us to rhyme or alliterate or whatever we're doing?"
The two brothers answer in a growl.
"Alright, alright I ask that you are not rash."
"Speak fast," the older one demands.
"Give me the name of this man, who you would like to get into your hand?"
"Max is his name, and what exactly is your game?"
"What do you want with him?"
"To punish him for his sin. He took our brother Grey away, for it he must pay." The older brother sits down next to me followed by the other in a sign they've obviously inherited Alex's talkativeness.
"Grey was always Khivar's favorite boy, so when Max was ready he became Grey's newest toy. He loved to make Max scream, because that always made Khivar beam."
I pull my legs up to my chest.
"But a very strange thing happened, Max would not die, even though Grey tried and tried.
It is on account of his lady, but others say it was her baby."
I press my head to my knees.
"He did not die but part of us now lives in Max.:
The memory forms an entirely different context almost immediately.
"Liz, you knew this day would come. Ripping yourself open isn't going to delay the inevitable."
"Excuse me if I'm not willing to sit back and wait for Sierra to be six feet under."
"She's asking for you."
"Give that back."
"Looking at X-rays you've poured over a thousand times before, isn't what she needs now. The time for pills and test are over."
"What would have me do then, Brian?"
"Love her for facing your mortality is the hardest thing to conqueror in my opinion."
"Wake up. Do not go to sleep." A man looking very much like Alex on steroids growls, "what have you done to her?" He asks his two shaking brothers.
"Nothing, we wanted a taste, so we acted in haste," the older of the two answers.
"Enough with the rhyming already, it is giving me a headache." He grabs the smallest Alex. "Was anything done to her? She looks pale, and she's shivering."
"No, we are telling the truth," they answer.
"Fine," he grabs me and throws me over his shoulder.
"But, we meant to eat her with a bit of wine."
"Try some cheese with your whine," he chuckles carrying me out the room down a darkened hallway into what look like an auditorium before setting me down underneath a skylight.
Viewing yet another Alex and seeing no sight of Max, I do want any young woman might do. I lose it. I launch myself at the man. "HE SHOULD HAVE LET THE BULLET KILL ME. HE SHOULD HAVE LEFT ME THERE TO BLEED TO DEATH. EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. ALEX WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. MY PARENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE. HE WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE." I grab onto Alex's collar. "You're a virus, do want you're meant to do. Kill me, kill me, kill me," I repeat over and over falling to my knees. "Just kill me and be done with," I say hoarsely.
His hands touch my head tenderly. "Leaving you on the floor to bleed to death was never an option that I would be willing to take."
I lift my head at the sound of his familiar voice. His gaze meets mine wearing almost the same look he used to give me all those years ago.
"How?"
Max pulls me gently to my feet. "Mind warp, even though they are the weaker of Grey's brothers, they were the first of Khivar's attempts so they're mental powers are not as refined as the others. Alpha and Beta would have known exactly who you were. Liz, about what you said." He starts.
Oh Lord please save me. "Are you sick?" I blurt out. "They said you were."
"Why did you say all those things? You aren't to blame for any of them. I want to apologize if I have been implying that you were. It was not my intention."
"Are you seeing any doctors? It is neurological? Is that why you were seeing Dr. Barbosa?"
"Have you told your therapist about these feelings you're having?"
"Why aren't you answering me?" We both say in unison.
He stares at me.
I stare back before breaking contact.
He unfolds his hands to reveal a strand of hair that looks to be one of the Alex's.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to grasp the finer points of biology, and epidemiology and failing miserably. How about helping your old lab partner out of a jam?"
"My only lab partner."
"Pardon?"
"I was the odd one out you remember after you and Tess became partners. I got used to working alone, so I made sure that I was always the odd one out in class."
"So you don't have to rely on others." His jaw does a funny little twitchy motion. "You can get DNA from hair, right?"
"Yes."
"Can it tell you anything that will help?"
"It depends. The key is to find how the viral RNA inserts itself into the human DNA. It's why we need a valid blood sample from one of the infected individuals." I tear my eyes away from him.
"Touché."
"They look so much like Alex. I miss him so much. It's like this ache that won't ever go away."
The circle of his arms finds me with surprising speed. I cling to the warmth, and the strength that he offers. I press into him wanting only to disappear forever into his embrace. "It's my fault. I messed with time and started this whole ripple. A butterfly flaps it wings in…I don't remember where, and you get a rainstorm in Shanghai."
"This isn't your fault."
"Yes, it is."
Max starts to tell me why I'm not responsible, but I'm not listening. I'm too busy watching them lower his casket into the ground waiting for the précised moment when I can jump in there with him.
"Stop, Liz, just stop torturing yourself over this." He breathes against my forehead.
Hindu women used to throw themselves on their husband's burning funeral pyres. Only Max isn't my husband. He isn't my anything. "Tell me, you aren't sick?"
His silence provides all the answer I need. "No," I sob over and over into his chest until my voice goes raw.
"It's not as bad as you think." He reassures me while lowering me down into a sitting position. "I'm sorry you found out this way, but it doesn't change what's going on right now." He squeezes my hand, but I'm lost in the land of what if with a newly married couple dancing in a beer smelling dive outside of Phoenix.
"Liz," he tilts my chin up to meet him. "I am the last one to propose this, because I think you do it too much already, but you have to put this aside for the moment. Nothing can be done about it, but something has to be done about what is happening now because left unchecked it will only get worse."
"Did you know we danced our first dance as husband and wife to "I'll Shall Believe?"
"No, we didn't." He says gently.
"I bet you twirled me around like you used to, and I would have put a white rose behind my ear."
"That didn't happen."
"We wouldn't have enough money to get a room. We must have gone to the desert."
"Stop it, I need you to focus."
"Don't you ever wonder?"
"I stopped that years ago." Giving up on me, he pulls out his phone and frowns.
I know better not to ask.
"We need to go. Things are about to get dicey here. Are you up for some hiking?"
"In the jungle?"
"Yes."
I'm putting it in a box, bubble or any other holding instrument.
"What happened in Vietnam?"
"I saw my true self, and it wasn't exactly pretty. How far do we have to go?"
"A day if we make good speed. How's your leg?"
"The acid ate through the fabric. I have a bit of a burn but nothing serious. We can't leave without Mani and Lena though."
"They either got out, or not. At this moment, they shouldn't be your concern. In life and death situation, it is unwise to let your emotions cloud your objectivity."
"I'm still going to find them."
"And if you find them, and they're in trouble what are you actually going to do?"
"I'll blast them."
"And did that work with Grey's brothers?"
"No."
"You're better off if you stick with me right now."
"I can't just leave them."
"You have no intel as to where they are or to the number of threats roaming around. You need to look at the picture not the pieces."
"So individual lives are inconsequential?"
"In the scheme of things, yes."
"I understand a part of what you are saying on a subliminal level, but I've must tell you I've never been a real fan of Social Darwinism. If I'm put in a situation where I can help someone, I'm going to do it no matter what the bigger picture is."
"Then you're going to end up getting yourself hurt."
"Like you did, when you healed me."
"That has nothing to do with this."
"What was the bigger picture that justified you saving my life?"
"You haven't experienced men and woman who will sacrifice thousands to gain nothing more than power while closing their eyes at the true cost."
"Of course not, because that sort of thing never goes on here." I answer sarcastically.
"Have you ever been in prison? They'll take everything away from you if you let them. It amazing how fast your qualms on the sanctity of life go right out the window."
I swallow realizing Max the healer has turned into Thomas Hobbes. "I agree I may not have your background if you'll agree that nothing is black and white, and no choice is clear cut or simple. I didn't mean for those things to happen to you."
"Then stop blaming yourself for them. I'm only trying to give you some insight as to the world you're about to enter. You still think all people are intrinsically good. I hope you will be able to keep that, because it's one of the things I admire most about you. With that in mind, you need to realize that very few people are as selfless as you are. The majority of people are only trying to maintain their own survival, and they will do what they have to achieve it."
I turn to my clothes for a change in subject and a peaceful way of ending Max's descent into Hobbesianism. "Speaking of altruistic characters, at least, Tess gave me a hand. I don't have to worry about getting muddy."
"Do me a favor, let's not talk about mud. It gets me off tangent onto other distracting things."
"What kind of distracting things?"
"Things I am not willing to talk to you about right now, or ever," he adds.
"We'll add mud to our list."
"It's getting to be pretty long list." He sighs as opens the door slightly to look out into the hall. "On three, we move, but you stay behind me and alert."
"Ay, Ay, Captain," I salute
"I'm actually a General along with Michael."
"You don't wear dress whites on your planet, do you?"
"No. Why?"
This proves that Max still favors the ladies.
Because every woman knows The Dress White Theorem:
Men + dress whites a very big distraction
Addendum to The Dress White Theorem:
Max + dress whites an even bigger distraction.
Strange I have the sudden need to watch both Top Gun and An Officer and Gentleman.
"Um, dress whites are being put on the list along with your military uniform."
"I have to wear my uniform if we're going into battle. It's custom."
"You're planning on going into battle?"
"That's on the list too."
"You're going to fight Khivar? When?"
"That's classified now less talking and more moving. Stop," he whispers circling around me. "Walk on the balls of your feet not your heels."
"Why?"
"Because you sound like a herd of elephants otherwise."
"You're such a gentleman."
"In my experience gentlemen are the first to go, scoundrels live a lot longer." He slings me back behind a counter. Seconds later I hear running that indeed kind of sounds like a herd of elephants.
I peep over but am yanked down by Max.
"The point of hiding is, so they can't see you." Grabbing me, the two of us roll over to the far side of the counter. "Here, we're covered. We can see them, and they can't see us. You hear how loud she is. She's telling everyone where she is. You ever have heels take them off. They make pretty good weapons if you're in a jam." He tells me like some self- defense teacher."
Through the crack, I see a swath of black cloth with yellow diamonds run pass. I try and stand up to get her attention but am stopped.
"What are you doing?" Max hisses in my ear.
"Trying to help her."
"Are you so sure that she needs help?"
"What are you talking about?"
"One of the hardest things for me to learn was that not everything is what it seems. Get all the pieces before you commit yourself to a scenario. She's too hysterical like she wants to be found."
I flinch at the sound of a woman's scream. "You are just going to stand here?"
"Consider this the first lesson of your education," Max pulls me up. "You stay with me. Do you understand?"
"I'm not a child."
"The longer we argue the less of there is going to be of your damsel to observe."
"You can't really be this snide? She went the other way."
"The security terminal is this way. There's also a window with a manageable drop off for us."
"How do you know that?"
"I studied the schematics, before I came here." He shrugs his shoulders like it's the most natural thing in the world. "It's in here. Stay behind me." Max kicks open the door to an abandoned octagonal room.
"Looks like, they cleared out of here." We throw up both of our hands as red star shaped figure flings itself in our direction. Green shoots from his hand while a red comes from my glove. Forming into one beam, it causes the creature to fall at our feet. Forming a net around the squealing creature, its girth grows only tighter till the animal stops struggling all together. An emerald jelly pours from its punctured side.
"Don't touch it. The meg is poisonous in this form even if it is dead." He stumbles before righting himself against the desk. "The woman is going to be on this one."
"Are you all right?"
"Fine."
"Your hands are shaking."
"Get the tapes from cameras one and two also."
"Is loss of muscle control a symptom of your condition?"
"Stop being the scientist and just follow direction for once in your life."
"If you stop being an asshole first, what happened to including me? Of course, you have to be one of those people's who rages against any mention of their weakness." I pause realizing that letting my emotions cloud the issue won't help. "Being angry is taking away the energy you need to fight this."
"There is no fighting it." Max closes his eyes and starts to recite some form of mantra.
Unable to process his words, I revert into science mode. First, I pull out my cell phone and take pictures of the serial codes on the camera equipment that some how found its way into a government building when the local budget for the state Chiapas is miniscule.
Taking a plastic bag out of my purse, I use an empty Styrofoam cup and scoop the Meg into the bag. I'm ejecting the tape showing the basement footage when the ends of close to ten repelling lines touch down in the main atrium.
I cover my cheek protectively remembering the sharp pain from the gun butt that had connected there. Falling was the lie that I had given Brian or Max or both of them.
A lanky figure emerges from the shadows to greet them. Despite, the graininess of the resolution, it doesn't take a lot of effort to identify Pierce. He and the soldiers disappear off the monitor as the woman in the in the diamond skirt enters on camera three walking casually along with a very muscular Alex. He says a couple of words to her before patting her on the head in the very same way Alex used to do with me.
I turn away from the monitor.
"The smarter ones like Alpha and Beta like to lure their victims. It's all part of the hunt." Max says softly free of his trance. "They pick women for some reason and use the Megs to control them."
"If that's true then that would mean that…"
"The Meg was after you. It's more likely it came from the dead woman under the desk." He says a little too casually. "Listen to me on this, don't look."
"And Pierce?"
"We don't exactly know what his role in all of this is, but the flash drive that I stole from his computer should be of use. We need to go. I know this is a lot to process." He starts to unlatch the window.
"Like you being sick."
"It doesn't impact our current situation, so it ceases to be important. I would appreciate if you would drop it now." He wraps his arms around my waist, "too bad I left the pixie dust at home."
"We can't make that jump."
"We get so tied up and thinking of what we can do and should do. It's amazing what happens when you just do and not think about it." He whispers against the back of my neck causing me to shiver.
"Recklessness never got me anywhere. Things need to be thought out." I step up onto the windowsill.
"Because you're so content with being cautious."
"What are you trying to say?"
"I don't know. Ever have anything on the tip of your tongue, but you can't get it out."
"It comes out eventually."
"Too bad I'm under a time constraint."
"You're not that sick, are you?"
"No, I'm talking about a different kind of time constraint. Of course, I could speed things up a bit just so you could wear that tight black dress that shows off your legs to the wake."
I turn and look at him over my shoulder. "That has to be sickest things I've ever heard you say."
"What do you know? I'm sick. What are the odds?"
"You can't just give up hope."
"Hope is a luxury that I can't afford."
"You're right. Why don't you just sit back and do nothing?"
"I didn't recall hope doing a lot for Sierra, did it?"
I blink against the closest thing to a verbal slap that I've ever received.
"I'm sorry," he says quickly. "I'm sorry that was out of line."
Unable to deal with his cynicism any longer, I let go of the frame and plummet. It barely registers when I land on my feet or when Max joins me.
"I thought I was going to have to push you to get you to jump."
"No revealing another charming aspect to your personality was enough to do that. Let's get one thing straight, I make my living helping people who are ill. You think this bitter routine of yours is unusual? You think I haven't seen it before? I'm sorry that you feel weak and powerless. I can only imagine how difficult for you it is, but don't you ever bring up Sierra's name again. I have a memory of you. I would appreciate if you would stop dismantling it piece by piece in some attempt to drive me away, because you're afraid. Afraid of what, I don't know? Say something please."
"We need to go. It's not safe to be in the open like this for so long."
I shake my head feeling tired, disappointed and just sad.
"I can't be the person that I used to be. I'm different. I've changed. Can we just leave it at that?"
"Yes, we'll leave it at that. I'm done. I'm just done."
He responds with only an unreadable stare.